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A 3.2-metre-long female great white shark was caught in a controversial new shark net on the NSW north coast. Picture: NSW Department of Primary Industry/AAP
FIVE great white sharks have been caught in northern NSW two days after controversial shark nets were deployed.
A huge 3.2-metre female great white shark was captured in the new Sharpes Beach net on Saturday, the same spot where surfer Seneca Rus, 25, was Âbitten on the leg in October.
Four smaller sharks ranging in size from 2.37m to three metres were also caught in SMART drum lines at Lennox Head, South Ballina and Evans Head, according to the Department of Primary Industries.
The great white was tagged and released off Sharpes Beach, Ballina.Source:Supplied
Five sharks were caught this weekend after nets were installed for a six-month trial.Source:Supplied
All five were captured, tagged and released alive. They will continue to be tracked as part of the coastal surveillance program.
The shark nets were deployed on five northern coast beaches on Thursday for a six-month trial following six shark attacks this year on the north and mid-north coasts.
The first 10 of an additional 85 SMART drum lines were also rolled out along the north coast beaches on Thursday.
The NSW government has come under fire over the nets, which some say are cruel.